Few situations are there but require shelter, either from the bleak and
stormy winds of Winter, or from the bare and neglected look of a place
without trees. A very little thought and planning would accomplish all
that is wanted. Having matured a plan for ornamentation and shelter, the
best way to carry it out is to do it piecemeal; continuous planting is
much more satisfactory to the man of taste than making a rush at the
work, and then leaving it very much to take care of itself. This
continuous planting, too, commends itself to the pecuniary means of most
people.
To a large extent the farmer and amateur gardener should be his own
nurseryman. As a general rule, the trees that are most recommended and
used for shelter are easily grown from seed; the requisite is to know
the _how_ of growing them. At Arkona, Mr. B. Gott, the orchardist,
raises an erection about three feet from the ground and covers it with
brush; the seeds are sown, spring up, and make a good growth even in the
course of one season. Let them be transplanted in due time in some
suitable spot, and all trees necessary for shelter are at hand.
Wind-breaks, either for shelter or ornamentation, are of great moment to
the fruit grower, in fact almost essential. The one tree that stands out
pre-eminently is the Norway spruce, (_abies excelsa_;) its hardiness,
rapidity of growth, and ease of cultivation strongly recommend it; for a
windy country, or where ice and snow are apt to injure the trees, the
elasticity and strength of the branches render them safe from damage.
Planted in rows for screens, eight feet apart is not too close.
Perhaps the Scotch and Austrian pine follow next, as the most valuable
trees for shelter. Planted alternately they make a fine appearance; the
former very dark in the foliage, and the latter a whitish green. They
are both hardy, and afford a large amount of protection.
In Europe we have seen the Himalayan pine interspersed among other
varieties with good effect.
For a hedge, nothing can equal the arbor vitæ, or white cedar; it forms
a perfect wind-break and stands our Winters perfectly. The planting must
be closely done, and if slightly pruned in the tips, the spray becomes
intensely thick and impervious.
At our Winter meeting in Hamilton, Mr. Holton urged the planting of our
common white pine—what might be called the pine of the country. It is
one of the best trees for shelter, however you look at it; perfectly
hardy, moderately quick in growth, acclimatized, and valuable for its
timber. The same gentleman also mentioned the hardy black spruce.
In Essex, when recently there, and also in the county of Elgin, we saw
the European larch planted as a wind-break; its growth is something
wonderful, and the shelter perfect; although deciduous, the spray is so
small and close that it cuts the wind, and makes a complete calm on the
sheltered side. We might add perhaps, that this variety should be
planted in the Fall.
At Tyrconnell the walnut is used for shelter, and a noble screen it
makes. It is planted on Mr. Comis’ grounds in triple rows. Few finer
sights can be seen when in the full season of flowering and fruiting. We
greatly wish that its popularity were on the increase, the more
especially so, as our soil in many districts is admirably adapted for
the walnut. The nuts should be planted as soon as they fall, four feet
apart, and three inches deep. The first year they will make a growth of
fourteen or fifteen inches, the next, three feet, and in the third year
they will be of sufficient size to render cultivation unnecessary.
Many advocate the planting of the sugar maple, and the soft maple; both
have their advantages, being deciduous however, they cannot compare to
the many varieties of the coniferæ.
In answer to the question, when, and how to transplant evergreens, much
has been, and will be said. Some say, just when the buds first begin to
swell; others affirm as strongly and persistently in the latter end of
May and during the month of June. One or two requirements are absolutely
necessary to insure its growth; first, see that the earth is firmly in
contact with the roots. Mr. Meehan, of Philadelphia, uses beaters in
planting; we are persuaded that the plan is a good one. Mulching is an
essential; with proper mulching a single tree need not be lost.
Regard is also to be had to the particular district where the shelter is
needed. In some of our western counties, in many parts of Essex and
Kent, the white ash (_Fraxinus Americana_,) might be planted with
beneficial results; the arboriculturist looking to future recompenses as
well as to present benefit; its strength, elasticity, and durability
making it invaluable for the manufacture of agricultural implements. The
walnut, butternut, and larch are well adapted for the extreme points of
the western peninsula. Norway spruce flourishes everywhere, and the same
may be said of the Scotch and Austrian pine.
A cheap and effective wind-break can be formed by protecting the trees
that spring up around uncultivated fences. In the neighborhood of
Hamilton, several farmers have derived benefit from this means, both for
their crops and fruits.
This question, however, is not unlikely shortly to assume larger
proportions. The stripping of the country of its forests; the long bleak
tracts, inviting the violence and injurious influence of winds, will
speedily demand a remedy. Arboriculture should be allied to the other
efforts put forth by the F. G. A. of Ontario; not till then will the
subject meet with that attention which it so justly deserves. That all
efforts to accomplish this laudable result, may meet with an able
advocate in our HORTICULTURIST, and that this paper may lend a helping
hand in the good work, is the aim and object of your essayist.
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